Combination strainer and stopper



Feb. 16, 1954 c J P CTOR COMBINATION STRAINER AND STOPPER Filed Nov. 16,1951 l4 5 v I; "I k 2G 1 1G 0 (0 (0 I] i If] 25 a J H 5 55 2| I V n I F55 2 IO GHQ/245$ s ecme,

INVENTOR.

"ZZZ/4 Patented Feb. 16, 1954 UNITED ESTATES irrii,

2,668,962 I COMZBINKT-IONTSTRAINERMNDTSTQPBER l i I i;

Charles J. Specter, Los,Ang,eles, Calif... Application November 16,1951, Serial No. 256.700 (Cl. .4 -287)-- 2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to plumbing equipment, and particularly to acombination sinkdrain strainer and stopper.

The use of strainers in sink drains is wellknown, some of which havevarious types of stoppers. The combinations'trainer and stopper to bedescribed in detail hereinafter is easy 'to operate, simple, andeconomical to. manufacture, easy to clean and install, and isparticularly eihcient in function. In one axial position, it functionsas a strainer, and in another axial position, it functions as a stopper.Since the unit is locked in stopping position, it cannot be accidentallydisturbed to release water in the sink.

The principal object of the invention, therefore, is to provide animproved combination sink drain strainer and stopper.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved drain strainerwhich serves as a stopper when shifted to a different axial position.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved combinationdrain strainer and stopper which is automatically locked in eitherposition to which it is adjusted.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic ofthis invention will be pointed out with particularity in the appendedclaims, the manner of its organization and the mode of its operationwill be better understood by referring to the following description,read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, forming a parthereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a sink embodying two exact units of theinvention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the invention taken along the line2-2 of Fig. 1, and showing the position of the invention whenfunctioning as a strainer, and

Fig. 3 is a view of the invention partially in cross-section taken alongthe line 3-3 of Fig. l, and showing the position of the invention whenfunctioning as a stopper.

Referring now to the drawings, in which the same elements are identifiedby like numerals, a double sink 5 has two units of the invention shownat 6 and l. The units 6 and 1, unit 6 being shown adjusted to strainingposition, and unit I to stopping position, have outer cylindrical bodyshells ID with large diameter portions H and smaller diameter portionsI2, to which draTiYi pipes are attached. Referring to a single unit, thesection l2 may have its inner surface slightly tapered, while across thelower opening of section I2, .is .a spiderrliwithia .centralwguide ho'leZtherein.

Th :upperwedge :ofsathe shell: has ;an-ranmflar. flange. .114, whichrests on. the. :bottomzpf a isink orother type :of tub in xwhichwitaiszusedx. The shell ,is held in :fixed: positiunsbyaa. collarwlfi.threaded on the-:upper-rportiomof :secticnxfl and tightened against. arubber; or. :cork dsasket t6: bearing against: the rope-nineteen anti-Qfriction ring I 1 between the collar l5 and gasket 16 is provided.

Within the section I l of shell I0 is a cylindrical basket type strainer20 having bottom openings 2| and side openings 22 of different shapes.Diametrically attached to the inside of strainer 20 in any suitablemanner, such as by welding at 24 and 25, are leaf spring latch members26 and 21, respectively, portions of which extend through holes in thestrainer 20. As shown in Fig. 2, these portions rest on the uppersurface of an annular detent 30 in the section II of shell Ill, thusholding the strainer locked in the position shown in Fig. 2. Fluid cannow pass from the sink to the drain pipe.

In a center opening in the bottom of the strainer 20, is a handle 32having a threaded portion 33, on which is threaded a disc 34 having anannular V groove therein in which is a washer 35, preferably of softrubber, such as neoprene, and which may be slightly tapered. If thewasher is not initially tapered, the shape of the V, which has an offcenter angle, provides the outer surface of the washer with the desiredtaper. Now, in the position shown in Fig. 2, the washer 35 is held outof contact with section I2 of shell l0. However, the washer may belowered to contact section [2 and form a stopper for section l2 bypressing downwardly along the axis of handle 32. This pressure moves thesprings 26 and 21 inwardly as they pass detent 30, the springs thenmoving outwardly to the positions shown in Fig. 3 to lock the washerfirmly in water stopping contact with the upper portion of the innersurface of section l2. A stem 31 passing through the central hole inspider 9 guides the strainer and washer 35 as they are moved axially.

Thus, the unit functions as a strainer when in the position shown inFig. 2, and as a stopper when in the position shown in Fig. 3. To cleanthe unit or change washer 35, the unit is simply lifted from the shell.A new washer is easily substituted for the old one when it is necessary.Because of their cam action on the detent surfaces the spring members 26and 21 provide a positive means for locking the unit in both strainingand stopping positions, and being particularly efiective in providing atight seal of the washer against section [2. The changeover from onefunction to another is quickly accomplished by the axial repositioningof the strainer and washer.

Iclaim:

1. A combination strainer stopper assembly comprising a cylindrical bodyshell having connected coaxial sections of larger and smaller diameters,fastening means to attach said shell to a sink, said large diametersection having an annular inwardly extending detent, said smallerdiameter section having a downward and inward tapering wall, acylindrical basket strainer having apertures therein and adapted to bepositioned in said larger diameter section, leaf spring latch membershaving only the lower ends of the springs fastened to the lower parts ofsaid strainer, said latch members having outwardly protruding camportions extending through holes in the wall of said strainer, saidprotruding portions normally biased outwardly by the action of saidsprings whereby said latch members when acting on the upper side of saiddetent will hold the strainer in an up position and when acting on theunder side of said detent will hold and force the strainer in a downposition, a handle fastened to said strainer to facilitate moving saidstrainer to either position, a stopper comprising a disc having acircumferential groove axially fastened to said strainer and a resilientwasher member positioned in said groove, said protruding portions ofsaid latch members acting on the under side of said detent to force saidresilient member into contact with the tapered Wall of said smallerdiameter section when said assembly is in said down position.

2. The invention according to claim l,'in which said resilient memberhas its outer edge tapered substantially the same as the taper of saidsmaller diameter section.

CHARLES J. SPECTOR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 772,434 Schultz Oct. 18, 1904 1,760,659 Pasman May 27, 19301,937,609 Tompkins Dec. 5, 1933 1,950,817 Rossman Mar. 13, 19342,225,693 Frances Dec. 24, 1940 2,337,331 ilirschner Dec. 21, 19432,569,615 Link Oct. 2, 1951 2,617,997 Hiertz Nov. 18, 1952

